Our Vision and the Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan

“The vision for the Sound is of waters that are clean, clear, safe to swim in, and charged with life. It is a vision of waters nourished and protected by extensive coastal wetlands, by publicly accessible, litter-free beaches and preserves, and of undeveloped islands. It is a vision of abundant and diverse wildlife, of flourishing commercial fisheries, of harbors accessible to the boating community, and of a regional consciousness and a way of life that protects and sustains the ecosystem.” — Vision statement from the 2015 Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan (CCMP)

Themes and Goals of the CCMP

To fulfill the vision of a restored and protected Long Island Sound the partner agencies of the Long Island Sound Study in 2015 revised its Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan. The Plan seeks to achieve  four primary goals under four  themes:

1. Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds – Improve water quality by reducing contaminant and nutrient loads from the land and the waters impacting Long Island Sound.
2. Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife – Restore and protect the Sound’s ecological balance in a healthy, productive, and resilient state for the benefit of both people and the natural environment.
3. Sustainable and Resilient Communities – Support vibrant, informed, and engaged communities that use, appreciate, and help protect Long Island Sound; and.
4. Sound Science and Inclusive Management – Manage Long Island Sound using sound science and cross-jurisdictional governance that is inclusive, adaptive, innovative, and accountable.

Ecosystem Targets

The 2015 CCMP also sets ambitious, but achievable, long-term targets for the Sound. These ecosystem targets are intended to drive progress toward attaining CCMP goals. Measuring, tracking, and reporting environmental indicators of each ecosystem target will provide information to assess progress and refine and adapt management as needed. The ecosystem targets are described below in pdf documents (note: there are no ecosystem targets for theme 4):

1. Ecosystem targets for Clean Waters and Healthy Watersheds

2. Ecosystem targets for Thriving Habitats and Abundant Wildlife

3. Ecosystem targets for Sustainable and Resilient Communities